Tanzania is set to make history by hosting its first-ever International Medical Tourism Expo from March 26–28, 2026 in Dar es Salaam, an event poised to position the country as a leading medical hub in Africa.

The three-day expo will be coordinated by the Tanlink Healthcare Foundation (THF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

At the inaugural organising committee meeting in Dar es Salaam, Dr Siraj Mtulia, Director of Tanlink Healthcare Foundation and Chairperson of the committee, described the initiative as a major milestone in Tanzania’s medical tourism journey.

“This is the first medical expo of its kind at this scale,” Dr Mtulia said. “While Tanlink initiated the idea, it has now evolved into a multi-stakeholder platform that will benefit the entire nation. The expo is expected to drive healthcare reforms, especially in infrastructure development for medical tourism.”

Dr Mtulia highlighted Tanzania’s strong medical infrastructure and strategic location as a gateway to neighboring countries, which provide a solid foundation for the success of the event. The expo is projected to attract over 5,000 participants from around the globe, aligning with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision of transforming Tanzania into a regional medical services hub. The initiative also aims to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and improve healthcare quality nationwide.

Dr Gunini Kamba, Coordinator of Public-Private Partnerships and Non-State Actors at the Dar es Salaam Regional Office, emphasized that medical tourism is a growing priority within the national development agenda. “While not a new concept, its economic potential is now receiving greater attention,” he said, noting that private hospitals are increasingly aligning services to cater to international patients.

Dr Fyumagwa Hassan, Managing Director at Tanlink Medical Tourism Agency, underscored the foundation’s role in promoting Tanzania’s healthcare achievements. “The government, under President Samia, has made significant strides in healthcare, but without proper promotion, these achievements may go unnoticed. This expo will showcase Tanzania’s progress to the world,” he said.

The organising committee has already mapped out strategic plans to ensure smooth preparation and execution. Stakeholders are confident that the Tanzania International Medical Tourism Expo 2026 will become a flagship event, opening new opportunities in healthcare, tourism, and economic development for the country.